The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Studio Art is a professional degree for students who want to become working artists in their chosen fields.
The BFA admission process for declared art majors is a two-step process that includes:
- Application
- Written statement of the student’s goals
- Transcript review
- Portfolio review
- Brief interview
A student will submit their written statement and application along with their portfolio before participating in the interview one week later. Within two weeks of the interview, we will contact students in writing regarding the admissions decision.
Entering students pursuing the BFA are declared in a pre-admit status and must apply for full admit status between 60 and 80 credit hours. Transfer student application status will be reviewed on an individual basis.
Late applications are not accepted. Being late for the scheduled portfolio review time is not accepted. Students who are late or miss their review time will need to reapply at the next application date. Being late or missing the portfolio review will be considered as a “Nonaccepted” application, and will be counted as one of three possible attempts. As potential BFA in Art degree candidates, students are expected to be able to meet specific deadline.
BFA students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better to remain in the program. Students are allowed a total of three attempts to pass the review before they are ineligible for the BFA program. Students who have not gained admission to the BFA program may graduate with a B.A. degree.
If you have any questions about the BFA in Art Program or its application process, please contact Clark Valentine at: cvalentine@ualr.edu.
Minimum Course Requirements
- 15 hours Studio Prerequisites (ARST 1310, 1315, 2310, 2315, 2318)
- 6 hours Art History
- 3 hours Studio Foundation in intended emphasis area
Students may be currently enrolled in their last 2000 level studio prerequisite course when making application to the BFA. Twelve hours of the studio prerequisite courses must have been successfully completed and/or transferred.
Students must have successfully completed 3 hours of art history and may be currently enrolled in their second art history course when applying to the program.
Emphasis studio foundation course must be successfully completed before submitting the application.
Written Statement Requirements
Written statement as part of the application form, addressing the BFA degree’s application to your career and your decision in choosing your intended emphasis area.
Portfolio Requirements
Portfolios must include 10 to 12 works. Portfolios must demonstrate the following: A strong technical proficiency in a variety of media, understanding of design and composition, creativity and exploration, as well as idea development. Portfolios should additionally demonstrate proficiency in the visual arts medium in which you wish to emphasize. Portfolios should include actual works of art produced in art courses at UA Little Rock or accredited institutions for transfer students.
The portfolio should be compiled into a pdf file and emailed to the BFA coordinator. Late applications are not accepted. After submitting the digital portfolio, students will bring a majority of the work in physical form for the review interview.
At least three works need to be observational drawings regardless of the emphasis you wish to pursue. A minimum of three works from your intended emphasis area, unless otherwise discussed with the BFA coordinator and emphasis area faculty.
All the pieces in your portfolio should be finished work that show completed ideas. Sketchbooks and sketches can also be submitted and are encouraged, but are to only be used to show your thought process and idea development of your completed pieces.
Presentation of work will be considered in the review of your portfolio. Attention should be given to the care taken in preparing, submitting, and documenting work.
The submitted works of art must be labeled with: student’s name, materials and size, course for which the work was created, and the semester and year when the course was taken.
Portfolio Review and Interview
A week after submitting the BFA application students must participate in a short portfolio review and interview with faculty. Times will be assigned to those candidates who have met all other requirements.
Students will submit the digital portfolio the day before the in-person interview and review. They must bring the majority of the work in physical form for the review.
During the portfolio review and interview, faculty will ask students about their presented work and intended goals.
Application Dates
Admission to the BFA program is conducted in the fall and spring semesters only; the admission process is not available during summer terms.
Late applications are not accepted.
Application dates for Fall 2024 will be posted in September.
